Bacterial Capsules (Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology)

The subject of this volume is the characteristics and function of bacterial polysaccharide capsules, which enable pathogenic bacteria to counteract or evade the unspecific host defense. Comprehensive treatment is given to capsular polysaccharides, their structure, biosynthesis, serology, genetic determination, organization into capsules and medical importance. It contains seven contributions from experts in these fields of research. Care was taken not only to describe the most recent knowledge of and facts on capsules and their polysaccharides, but also to convey to the reader general principles behind these facts. This is especially the case where non-immunogenicity of important capsules due to their structural relation to host material is described. This book is aimed not only at experts in microbiology, microbial biochemistry and infection research, but it is also written for scientists generally interested in the subject.